Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Name More Than 13 of These Famous Sculptures?

Teresa McGlothlin

Image: dowell / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

From recent sculptures to those that date back to 25,000 BC, sculpture has long been one way that artists represent their respective eras. If you can name more than 13 of these famous sculptures, it will be safe to say that you know your art! We have scoured the world from Hong Kong to ancient Rome to challenge your expertise.

Some of the sculptures may be easy to recognize, but others might make you take a moment and really dig deep. Even if art isn't exactly your area of expertise, this quiz will be a journey through some amazing works that may lead you to develop a newfound appreciation for the art of sculpting. Whether you are a fan of more traditional sculptures or you love the work of contemporary sculptors, your eyes will get a real treat throughout the quiz.

With artists like Michelangelo and Anish Kapoor, sculptural creations could never be called boring. Every sculpture has a history and a meaning, and we will impart fascinating knowledge about each piece. Do you think you can get more than 13 right? Scroll down to get this quiz started, and we'll see how much you know about some of the world's most memorable works of art!

Wiki Commons by Britchi Mirela

What is the name of this sculpture featuring two of the characters from Dante's "Divine Comedy"?

The Kiss

Apollo and Daphne

The Founders

A Girl and Her Dog

The Kiss is a Rodin masterpiece that was modeled after Paolo and Francesca from Dante's "Divine Comedy." Created in 1882, the statue depicts the lovers in an embrace after they were banished to Hell. The larger version of the marble statue took Rodin over ten years to deliver.

Wiki Commons by Fred Romero

Do you know the name of this famous sculpture carved around 150 BC?

David

Venus de Milo

Dying Gaul

Apollo Belvedere

In 1820, the Venus de Milo by sculpture Alexandros was found in pieces along the Aegean island of Melos. After being given to Louis XVII, Venus de Milo found a permanent home at the Louvre where it was reassembled. The arms of the statue have never been found.

Wiki Commons by Ziko van Dijk

Can you choose the correct name for this sculpture that only stands 4.4 inches tall?

The Thinker

Venus of Willendorf

Pieta

Nefertiti

Made from Oolitic limestone, the Venus of Willendorf dates all the way back to some time between 20,000 and 25,000 BCE. Found in Austria, the Venus of Willendorf would have been carried by nomadic cultures and viewed as a symbol of fertility.

Wiki Commons by Philip Pikart

Which Ancient Egyptian figure do you see sculpted in limestone here?

Nefertiti

Hathor

Cleopatra

Maat

Believed to have been crafted by the sculptor Thutmose, the Bust of Nefertiti was created around 1345 BC. As the wife of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and later possibly a widowed ruler herself, Nefertiti was one of the most powerful women in ancient Egypt. Here, she is immortalized in limestone, stucco, and paint.

Wiki Commons by Zossolino

These sculptures were buried until their discovery in 1974 - what are they called?

The Monument to the Discoveries

The Terracotta Army

Moai

People of the River

The Terracotta Army was created around 210 BC as a memorial to the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. Discovered by a group of peasants digging for water in 1974, the Terracotta Army's unearthing shocked the world and the Shaanxi province where the army is located.

Wiki Commons by LivioAndronico

You can find this sculpture at The Vatican, but can you correctly name it?

Apollo and Daphne

Lionman

Bacchus

Laocoon and His Sons

Carved from white marble, Laocoon and His Sons depicts the death of the Poseidon priest and his sons when trying to destroy the Trojan Horse. Although the exact date of creation is unknown, it was excavated in Rome during the year 1506. It can be seen on display at The Vatican Museums.

Wiki Commons by Architas

What is the title of this sculpture with roots in Greek mythology?

Apollo Belvedere

Persues with the Head of Medusa

Athena Parthenos

Apollo and Daphne

The famous sculptor Bernini is the artist responsible for creating Apollo and Daphne. The story behind the piece dates all the way back to Greek mythology's "Ovid Metamorphosis," but it was created sometime between 1622 and 1625.

Wiki Commons by Jörg Bittner Unna

At 14 feet tall, this is one of the world's most recognizable sculptures - what is the name of it?

David

Apollo Belvedere

Kore

Christ the Redeemer

At the young age of 26, famous artist Michelangelo carved the statue of David from a slab of marble. Commissioned by the Opera del Duomo for the Cathedral of Florence, David was rejected by board members for being too perfect. It was instead placed in Florence at the Piazza Della Signora.

Wiki Commons by Alvesgaspar

Do you know the correct title of this Bernini sculpture?

Cloud Gate

Athena Parthenos

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

Psyche Revived

During the 16th century, Teresa of Avila was canonized by the Catholic church for her prolific visions. Inspired by her writings, Gian Lorenzo Bernini created the statue that now resides in Cornaro Chapel in Rome.

Wiki Commons by BeEXT

Are you able to correctly identify this 16th century bronze figure?

Hercules and Cacus

Perseus with the Head of Medusa

Dying Slave

Hermes and the Infant Dionysus

The artist behind the bronze Perseus with the Head of Medusa is Benvenuto Cellini. Originally a goldsmith, the statue challenged Cellini, nonetheless, the statue was finished in 1554. It stands in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence and has not been moved since its original placement.

The Museum of Modern Art via YouTube

Picasso made the first version of this sculpture in 1912 - can you figure out its name?

Guitar

Musical

Strings

Melody

The first version of Picasso's Guitar was made out of cardboard in 1912. By 1914, Picasso had decided to remake it out of sheet metal. Breaking away from the traditional carved or molded versions of sculpture, Picasso shocked viewers with his abstract, rebellious approach using assemblage.

Philadelphia Museum of Art via YouTube

What is the name of this sculpture that sits on a limestone block?

Capitoline Wolf

Justice

Mademoiselle Pogany

The Walking Man

When sculptor Constantin Brancusi originally tried to create Mademoiselle Pogany, he broke several clay molds in front of the model. It was only after she returned to Hungary that Brancusi completed the sculpture from memory. In 1913, it was a highly debated piece of sculpture!

Wiki Commons by EvaEliseOll

New York artist Andy Warhol created this work of art in 1964 - can you choose the correct name for it?

Tunafish Disaster

Campbell's Soup Cans

Silver Car Crash

Brillo Box

During the course of his career, Andy Warhol pushed the boundaries of the art world. With his graphic pieces, he brought pop culture into the high brow arena. Here, you can see Brillo Box (Soap Pads) that Warhol created in 1964.

Wiki Commons by Sharon Mollerus

Do you know the name of this sculpture that weighs 110 tons?

Cloud Gate

Christ the Redeemer

David

The Statue of Liberty

Affectionately dubbed "The Bean," Cloud Gate is made from a steel frame and 168 pieces of custom cut stainless-steel plates. The piece, created by artist Anish Kapoor, sits in Chicago's Millennium Park where it has become a part of the city's experience.

Wiki Commons by Wknight94

This massive sculpture measures 240 feet long - do you know the title of it?

Abu Simbel

Temple of Edfu

The Great Sphinx of Giza

Colossi of Memnon

The Great Sphinx of Giza is carved from a single piece of limestone and stands 66 feet tall. Scholars are still debating the exact date The Sphinx was built. Some believe it was built for King Khafre, but others believe his brother, King Khufu, commissioned the piece after Khafre's death.

Wiki Commons by Continentaleurope

You might know the meaning of this statue, but do you know the title?

Risen Christ

Statue of Unity

Kore

Lady Justice

Lady Justice has roots in Roman mythology and shows the immortalized image of the Goddess Lustita. Lustita was the Goddess of Justice, and her blindfold represents impartiality. Her scales represent the ability to weigh both sides of an issue.

Wiki Commons by KátiaLira

Which title is given to this 98 foot tall sculpture?

Christ the Redeemer

Cloud Gate

Brillo Box

Discobolus

Christ the Redeemer looms over Rio de Janeiro, and it's sometimes considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Created by artist Cristo Redentor, the outstretched arms measure 92 feet across. The sculpture is made from a mosaic of triangular soapstones.

Wiki Commons by Chong Fat

The sculpture in this photo was completed in 1993. Do you know its name?

Venus de Willendorf

The Thinker

Nike of Samothrace

Tian Tan Buddha

At 112 feet tall, the Tian Tan Buddha is tucked away in a mountainous region near Hong Kong. To reach the sculpture, visitors must climb 268 stairs. It took sculptors 12 years to complete, and it is maintained by the Po Lin Monastery.

Wiki Commons by Wknight94

What is the name of this sculpture located in Washington D.C.?

Lincoln Memorial Statue

The Washington Memorial

Infinity Sculpture

Albert Einstein Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial Statue was initially set to be only 10 feet tall; however, the artist behind the work, Daniel Chester French, decided to enlarge it to the 28 feet tall that it stands now. Carved with assistance from a large slab of marble, the sculpture is one of the world's most visited.

Wiki Commons by M.O. Stevens

This sculpture is called the Salmon Sculpture by most, but do you know the actual title?

Transcendence

Observance

Patience

The Catch

Measuring 11 feet across and hand forged from bronze, Transcendence is often called the Salmon Sculpture by locals in Portland, Oregon. The incredibly detailed fish appears to be swimming through a brick wall, and it hovers over the entrance to a former seafood restaurant.

Jonathan Burton via YouTube

Can you choose the correct title of this sculpture that honors Nelson Mandela?

Nelson Mandela

The Freedom of Howick

Modern Motion

Unchained

The Freedom of Howick was dedicated to Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela by the artist Marco Cianfanelli in 2012. An interactive sculpture that allows visitors to walk inside the bars that make up the sculpture, The Freedom of Howick sits at the spot where Mandela was first arrested.

Wiki Commons by Carol M. Highsmith

You would need to visit Dallas, Texas to see this sculptural grouping - which name does it have?

Cattle Drive

Hippos

The Mustangs

Sad Cowboy

Each of the 50 bronze cattle in Cattle Drive measures a whopping six feet tall. Sitting in a large public park maintained by the Dallas Convention Center called Pioneer Park, artist Robert Summers has created an unforgettable reminder of the state's cattle driving past.

Wiki Commons by hh oldman

Which name is the correct name for this 8-legged spider that lives at the Tate Modern?

Spider Legs

Apocalypse

Maman

The PIeta

In 1999, Louise Bourgeois' Maman was unveiled at the Tate Modern. A sculpture so large it can only be erected outdoors in an industrial space, Merman's spindly legs are balanced by a sack full of spider eggs. Maman has received a permanent home outside of the museum.

Wiki Commons by Livioandronico2013

The original version of this historical sculpture is missing - do you know what it's called?

Discobolus

David

Nike of Samothrace

Rembrandt

Originally carved in marble, Discobolus has been reproduced countless times since its creation between 450 and 460 BC. A popular sport in ancient Greece, Discobolus flawlessly displays the athleticism of the Olympic sport.

Wiki Commons by Rijin S

Which title of this Hellenistic statue is correct?

Apollo Belvedere

Mose di Michelangelo

Venus de Milo

Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace

Winged Victory (Nike) of Samothrace has been housed at the Louvre in Paris since 1884. Carved from marble in 2nd century BC, Winged Victory stands 8 feet tall. Although many have attempted to recreate the statue's broken parts, it has only ever been restored in theory.

Wiki Commons by Rosemania

This sculpture's name is taken from the place where it's displayed - what is the name?

Monumental

Capitoline Wolf

The Gates of Hell

Statue of Zeus at Olympia

Housed at the Capitoline Museum in Rome, the Capitoline Wolf is only slightly smaller than a life-sized wolf. Cast from bronze, the Capitoline Wolf can be viewed from all sides, and visitors are encouraged to take in a 360-degree view of the sculpture.

Wiki Commons by Stanislav Traykov

What is the right name for this sculpture created by Michaelangelo?

Bacchus

Risen Christ

Pieta

David

The Pieta features a marble Mary cradling the body of Jesus after his crucifixion. Out of all of Michelangelo's extraordinary works of art, The Pieta is the only sculpture that bears the artists name.

Wiki Commons by Jesusccastillo

Rodin created this sculpture, but what did he name it?

The Kiss

The Thinker

The Three Shades

Crouching Woman

Although Rodin's The Thinker has been replicated many times, the original sculpture was part of his Gates of Hell series. The Thinker represents Dante contemplating the "Divine Comedy" as he sits by the gates.

Wiki Commons by Oscarxuch

Do you know the name of these Easter Island sculptures?

Moai

Skull

Skeletons in Love

Wursa

The Easter Island Moai were carved from volcanic rock by the native Rapi Nui people. Each of the Moai represents a person of importance and serves as a memorial. Though you can only see the upper portion, archeologists have discovered that each Moai has a full body.

Wiki Commons by Judson McCranie

You would find this sculpture in a Georgia city - can you choose its name?

Athena Promachos

Bird Girl

Lady Justice

Ecstasy of Saint Teresa

In total, artist Sylvia Shaw Judson only made four of the Bird Girl sculptures. Three of them when to major US cities, but the fourth was purchased as a memorial and placed in a cemetery. It remained hidden for nearly 50 years until it was used as the cover for "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

Wiki Commons by Carol M. Highsmith

Which of the names of this granite and bronze sculpture is the right one?

Cattle Drive

Monumental

The Mustangs of Las Colinas

Transcendence

The city of Irving, Texas is home to The Mustangs of La Colinas. The piece features realistic bronze Mustang horses galloping across a stream that is retained with the use of pink granite.

Wiki Commons by Sengkang

You would head to Singapore to see this sculpture - what is it named?

The Shoes on the Danube Bank

People of the River

Tian Tan Buddha

The Picasso

Near Singapore's Cavenagh Bridge, you would be treated to seeing the People of the River. The playful children jumping into the river serve as a reminder to the city's river trade past.

Wiki Commons by Dennis JARVIS

Can you choose the name of this WWII memorial sculpture in Budapest?

The Shoes on the Danube Bank

The Motherland Calls

Marine Corps War Memorial

Memorial of the Deportation

Sculptor Gyula Pauer installed 60 pair of bronze, 1940s style shoes along the banks of the Danube River in Budapest. The shoes commemorate thousands of people who were executed by Nazi forces at the spot during World War II.

Wiki Commons by Patche99z

Do you know the right name for this playful sculpture at the Taipei Zoo?

The Lobster Trap

Rhinos

Hippos

Pigs

When the Taipei Zoo's director thought up his hippo square, he had no idea that it would become such a tourist attraction. Hippos features a collection of realistic, bronze Hippos that seem to swim amongst the bricks that make up the zoo's walkway.

Wiki Commons by Bernard Gagnon

These sculptures mark the birthplace of Apollo - can you figure out the name it's given?

Lion-man

The Lion Monument

Nelson's Column

The Terrace of the Lions

Sitting on the Greek Island of Delos, The Terrace of the Lions was erected around 600 BC. The grainy, marble lions sit across from the lake where Apollo and Athena were said to have been born.

Wiki Commons by Antiquary

It commemorates the Hundred Years' War, but can you choose the correct name?

Laocoon and his Sons

Unique Forms of Continuity

Pschye Revived

The Burghers of Calais

The Burghers of Calais is considered one of Rodin's most successful and loved commissioned pieces. It is carved from Bronze and it commemorates a battle that took place in France during the Hundred Years' War.

kyle reid / Moment / Getty Images

This statue is a welcoming sight to visitors - can you name it?

Lady Justice

The Liberty Bell

Statue of Liberty

Venus de Milo

Standing on Ellis Island in New York City, the Statue of Liberty stands as a welcoming sign of freedom. Made from gold, copper, steel, and cast Iron, the statue was designed by sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustav Eiffel. It was given to the US as a gift and dedicated in 1886.

Wiki Commons by Metropolitan Museum of Art

What is the name of this modern, bronze sculpture?

Mademoiselle Pogany

Unique Forms of Continuity

Statue of Unity

The Motherland Calls

The creator of Unique Forms in Continuity, Umberto Boccioni, was a member of a group of early 1900s artists that called themselves The Futurists. The Futurists loved to show the movement in energy, and Unique Forms in Continuity represents forward motion.

Wiki Commons by Anastasia Galyamicheva

Can you correctly choose the name of this Russian sculpture?

Nelson's Tower

The Motherland Calls

Lady Justice

Dancing Girl

The Motherland Calls stands 178 feet tall and sits in Volograd, Russia. The sculpture is a memorial to those who lost their lives a the Battle of Stalingrad. The tip of the sword reaches a whopping 280 feet in the air.

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